Research leads to the conclusion that Charles Robertson was in fact Charles Robertson Steven who had changed his name in order to meet the age requirement for the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. Charles Robertson enlisted on the 13th March 1901 giving his age as 21 where it is probable that his real age was 19. The change of name was only queried on the death of Charles in 1966.

Charles’ enlistment papers, signed on the 13th March 1901, noted that he was living in Johnsonville but was unemployed and that his next of kin was his Uncle Charles Robertson, also from Johnsonville. Charles is recorded as serving two years in the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles as a volunteer prior to enlistment. [i]

On the 6th April 1901 SA 4207 Trooper Charles Robertson, SA4645 Farrier Len Retter, his younger brother SA 4644 Farrier Darcy Retter, SA 4643 Trooper John Robinson all from Johnsonville, SA4605 Lance Corporal Joseph Brown from Tawa, SA4650 Trooper George Styles from Pauatahanui and SA4657 Trooper Leo Gestro from Paremata all sailed as part of the 7th Contingent for South Africa.

On arrival in South Africa the 7th New Zealand and the 6th Queensland Contingent were assigned to Colonel Garratt’s column operating in the Eastern Transvaal and north-east of the Orange Free State. During June 1901 there was constant skirmishing with the Boers with casualties inflicted at Blesboxspruit, Kaffir’s Spruit. In July 1901 they captured a Boer Commando at Koppjiesfontein. Also 11 Boers were killed or wounded, 25 captured along with 34 waggons, 31 carts and 1240 cattle.

The 7th Contingent NZMR

break camp on the Veldt

early in their campaign in

South Africa

More successful capture of material and men continued in August 1901 at Bultfontein, Spannerberg. These clearing operations continued, seriously weakening the Boers. The final major contact was in February 1902 where the British forces attempted the capture of key Boer leader De Wet, the report on the action sent as a dispatch on the night of the action, 23rd February 1902 at Langverwacht. The action is also known as the Bloody Battle of Bothasbergat.[ii]

‘De Wet adopted the plan of advancing under cover of a large mob of cattle, which were

rapidly driven up by natives to the point where the rush through was to be attempted.

This expedient met, it is true, with a part of the desired success, for there is little doubt

that De Wet, Ex-President Steyn, and a number of their men thus managed to break out

of the toils. As a whole, however, the Boer force was very severely punished by the New

Zealanders of Lieutenant Colonel Garratt's column, who displayed great gallantry and

resolution at a critical moment in resisting and in part repelling the attack. The conduct

of the New Zealanders upon this occasion reflects the highest credit upon all ranks of the

contingent, and upon the Colony to which it belongs. Nothing could have been finer than

the behaviour of the men. The whole of the Boer cattle and vehicles were captured, and

31 of the enemy, together with over 160 horses, were killed at the point where the attempt

to penetrate our line was made. Our own casualties were also severe, 2 officers and 18 men

being killed, and 5 officers and 33 men wounded, the large majority of whom belonged to the

New Zealand 7th Contingent’

One of those killed in this action was SA4645 Farrier Len Retter.

In late March after a year of operations, the 7th Contingent started their journey to Durban and the return to New Zealand. On the journey the 7th Contingent, at Newcastle, was addressed by the New Zealand Premier Mr Richard Seddon. The 7th Contingent sailed from Durban, South Africa on the 22nd May 1902.

Trooper Robertson was finally discharged from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles on the 15th September 1902 on the ‘completion of service’ and where his character was described as ‘very good.’[iii]

Charles indicated that he was returning to Johnsonville, but by 1902 he had moved to Woodville as his files indicate that the Mayor of Woodville presented the Transvaal and Orange Free clasps to go with the Kings South Africa Medal on Coronation Day 9th August 1902.

In 1906 Charles Robertson was still in Woodville as he signed for the 1901 and 1902 clasps for the South Africa on the 25th October 1906.

In 1905 Charles Robertson Steven married Ann Mason and they had four children, the youngest child born in 1913 was John Lunn Steven.

Charles Robertson’s military file carries a death notification form noting that Mr J Steven reported the death on the 27th February 1966, of a Boer War veteran Charles Robertson Steven. The death is also recorded by the New Zealand Internal affairs also indicating that Charles Robertson Steven was 84 (born in 1882) The file indicates that the Defence

Department accepted that the SA4207 Charles Robertson on the file was the same person as Charles Robertson Steven.

Notes:

Ranks Private and Trooper are used in military files and newspaper items for consistency Trooper has been used for Porirua stories.

For more details on the Battle of Bothasbergat see the stories on the Retter brothers.